What presidential candidate wouldn't want a bunch of famous faces drawing attention to their convention? After all, many of the same stars camping out during the Democrats' shindig could make small fortunes endorsing beauty products or Sleep Number beds.

But candidates for political office know they are selling something more serious than shampoo. An overflow of icons could make an important party event look too much like just a party.

Super celeb Russell Simmons, on the schedule to headline a yoga festival this week, canceled his appearance, recognizing the overload: "I don't now if they need any more celebrities," he said.

Even the ballyhooed backing of Winfrey can be a liability, especially for a candidate such as Barack Obama, derided by opponents as just a "celebrity" himself.

"Notice you haven't seen him with her and she has not been making public statements about him," said Janice Peck, the University of Colorado professor who wrote "The Age of Oprah."

Both parties have their unpredictable celebrity backers. John McCain drew chuckles for sharing a camera moment with Chuck Norris, best-known for on-screen fisticuffs.Conservative backers like Toby Keith are just as likely to spew off-message rhetoric as far-left leaners like Susan Sarandon or Sean Penn, expected at a Ralph Nader rally here Wednesday.

Plus, politics isn't a niche market.

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Few celebrities have the broad appeal to sell a candidate to a wide audience.

It is a particular problem for the Democrats, because they tend to get more famous folks hanging around conventions. A political party suffers some when, as has happened so far this week, Daryl Hannah and Alfre Woodard have gotten more attention than Barbara Boxer and Howard Dean.

GOP operatives have noticed, of course, and are happy to rub the sore spot. "To the degree that all of this celebrity glitz and glamour reinforces an emerging negative view of Obama, which is that he is all glitz and no experience, it could be very detrimental," GOP strategist Todd Harris told the AP this week.

In the end, candidates don't really have control over the celebrities swirling around outside of convention halls and try to remain focused on what happens inside, said Marcia Hale, who oversaw convention activities for the Democrats in 1996 and 2000.

Hale says famous names can bolster an election hopeful only if they have "a particular tie to the candidate."

Her example: When Tommy Lee Jones appeared on behalf of Al Gore in 2000. The men had known each other since college.

Even better: When Olympia Dukakis, fresh off her Oscar for "Moonstruck," introduced her cousin Michael in 1998.

"It was a fabulous moment at the convention. Celebrity really helps if there is a connection," Hale said.

Celebrities were quick to align themselves with candidates this election season. Sometimes they have come across as a party favor, other times as party pooper. But most often, they're a bit of both. — Mario Correo

Democrats

Oprah

Favor: Only Jesus can claim more followers (and even he can't boast 8 million eyeballs daily!)

Pooper: Wields little weight with men (except maybe Steadman, maybe.)

Melissa Etheridge

Favor: Courageous artist with a loyal following — and an Oscar courtesy of Al Gore!

Pooper: For a party bent on ignoring the issue, Etheridge's gay marriage stand "inconvenient."

Ben Affleck

Favor: Working-class roots project an appealing "everyman" quality.

Pooper: What "everyman" will actually fall for Affleck's appeal? Ask his ex-bus mate, John Kerry.

David Crosby

Favor: Recalls old days of left's ascendence.

Pooper: Crosby's last-known ascendence produced a child for Melissa Etheridge.

Scarlett Johansson

Favor: Lush-lipped bombshell can lure impressionable young men to polls. Pooper: Too alluring? Obama's fended off rumors that he e-mails her.

George Clooney

Favor: A real leading man for a party in need of one (not to mention the star's appeal to McCain's base: Rosemary Clooney fans).